Tamara Inzunza, CRS, CDPE | Alexandria VA Real Estate | 703-623-8759

If you think SIZE matters, then think again. RESULTS MATTER. With only four offices (Old Town Alexandria, Arlington, Mclean, and Washington DC), McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors impressively secured a position in Realtor Magazine's Top 100 Real Estate Companies annual list.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Alexandria VA, or any other area in Northern Virginia or Washington D.C., interview a top listing agent with McEnearney Associates. Our agents consistently have the highest percentage of net sales price to listing price, and the lowest average number of days on the market.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Alexandria VA, or any other area in Northern Virginia or Washington D.C., interview a top buyer's agent with McEnearney Associates. Our agents are committed to staying current on the latest real estate trends, and effectively help buyers in all parts of the spectrum, from the first-time buyers, to the investor.

Don't take my word for it. Here's what my most recent client had to say:

"Thank you for the hard work you have done in finding our first home. I am glad we worked with you, your professionalism is exceptional. Above all you are patient, and friendly. Thank you so much! Now we have our home sweet home! We will always recommend your services to our family and friends!" - Jana and Frank

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Buying or Selling Real Estate in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria VA? Looking for short sales in Alexandria Virginia? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home. I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale.

Call me at 703-623-8759.

Visit my website and Search MLS Listings of Homes For Sale in Alexandria VA at www.MovingToNova.com/. If you're thinking about selling and would like to know how much your Alexandria VA home is worth, visit http://www.confidentialcma.com/ for a complimentary market analysis of your home. Not selling but curious about the homes for sale in your neighborhood, visit http://www.movingtonova.info/ for FREE Market Snapshot reports and stay informed whenever a home is listed or sold in your neighborhood.

The first quarter of 2009 is just about over, and the ride was starting to smooth out toward the end. Over the next two weeks, you'll be hearing updated housing statistics on a national level, but please feel comfortable emailing me for a customized Market Snapshot of your Alexandria VA neighborhood or zip code.

My opinion is that the second quarter of 2009 will have numbers more worth talking about. With the First-Time Homebuyer tax credit in play, and the busy rental renewal season of April, May, and June, I expect to see more buyers take advantage of the lower pricing, interest rates, and tax credit as opposed to riding it out one more year and renewing a long-term lease.

The busy selling season also stirs competition among those looking to buy Alexandria VA real estate and homes for sale. Sellers who brave the wild of a buyers market may still have the luxury of cherry picking from multiple offers. If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, here's how you can help nudge your offer out in front:

• Earnest Money Deposit - There is no industry standard for how much an earnest money deposit has to be. A good rule of thumb is for it to be 1% of the sales price or higher. The higher your earnest money deposit, the more confidence the seller may have that you won't just walk away from a deal.
• Financing - The market has successfully weeded out many bad (predatory) lenders, and others lenders have simply failed. Sellers and their listing agents are looking for a mortgage approval letter from a local, reputable lender stipulating the type of financing for which you've been approved.
• Closing Date - If you're stretching your closing date beyond 45 or 60 days, that can actually you out of the game. A buyer who can close quickly gives the seller the impression that financing is secure, and a commitment can be made and kept. Extended closing dates allow too much time for issues to arise that can affect financing, or other previously agreed upon terms of the contract.
• Inspections - It's normal to have a home inspection in this market. You may put yourself ahead of the pack by completing a pre-contract inspection. Recently, one of my colleagues was one of 29 buyer contracts, and he WON because his buyers did a pre-contract inspection and only asked for certain things, as opposed to using the home inspection as another negotiating point in the sale. The seller was relieved because there was one less contingency, and repair requests were made up front and addressed with the offer.
• Sale of Home - If you have a home to sell, make sure that your home is actively on the market and under contract with a stong buyer. Most sellers will not feel comfortable taking their house off the market and waiting for you to find a buyer.

Did you notice that I didn't mention price? That's because price is not always the strongest term in a sales contract. For example, an offer that is $5,000 less than the asking price but the buyer is willing to close in three weeks, is more attractive than a full price offer with a 90-day closing.

In Northern Virginia, the spring real estate market is usually very competitive. As your Realtor, you'll benefit from my twelve years of experience to help you successfully buy or sell a home in any market.

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Buying or Selling Real Estate in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria VA? Looking for short sales in Alexandria VA? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home. I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale.

Call me at 703-623-8759

Visit my website and Search MLS Listings of Homes For Sale in Alexandria VA at www.MovingToNova.com/. If you're thinking about selling and would like to know how much your Alexandria VA home is worth, visit http://www.confidentialcma.com/ for a complimentary market analysis of your home. Not selling but curious about the homes for sale in your neighborhood, visit http://www.movingtonova.info/ for FREE Alexandria VA Real Estate Market Snapshot reports and stay informed whenever a home is listed or sold in your neighborhood. For information on foreclosure prevention visit http://www.AlexandriaShortSale.info to see if you qualify for a short sale on your home.

It may be cold and wet outside, but the changes made to the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is making local real estate HOT, HOT, HOT! Especially if you're in the market for Alexandria Virginia Real Estate. Real estate and homes for sale in the sought after areas of Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes are made more affordable with help from the First-Time Buyer Tax Credit and expanded FHA loans.

The weekend is almost here, and you may want to venture out to look at open houses in Alexandria VA. I thought it was important to share some additional information with you about the First-Time Buyer Tax Credit, and about FHA loans in general.

In 2008, Congress created a $7500 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit. It went into effect April 8, 2008 and was set to expire July 1, 2009. The big problem in the eyes of the general public: it had to be repaid over 15 years, and people overwhelmingly viewed it as just another debt, and not a benefit.

In 2008, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) began advocating to remove the repayment feature of the credit, extend the credit to the end of 2009, and to make the credit available to every home buyer. As a result,

• We succeeded in removing the repayment requirement for 2009
• The credit has been extended to on or before November 30, 2009 and can be claimed by those who closed on homes on or after January 1, 2009. (It is still repayable for 2008 purchases.)
• The credit has been expanded to $8,000.

This is great news for Alexandria VA home buyers. The benefit is still available to first-time home buyers, which in our local real estate market, represents the segment with the greatest selection of available homes for sale. Here is a chart comparing the features of the 2008 credit and the revised credit. This illustrates a side-by-side comparison of the changes, making the benefits easier to understand. The IRS has also released new information on how you can maximize the new tax credit on the purchase of Alexandria VA real estate.

Those in the market who are not first time buyers, can still take advantage of lower down payment loans, increased credit flexibility, and higher loan limits with the FHA loan. According to a June 2008 Washington Post article, "demand for these once-neglected mortgages has surged because they do not require hefty down payments, or stellar credit scores that lenders have come to expect from borrowers."

Here is a link to some short videos explaining the benefits of the FHA loan.

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Buying or Selling Real Estate in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria VA? Looking for short sales in Alexandria VA? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home. I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale.

Call me at 703-623-8759

Visit my website and Search MLS Listings of Homes For Sale in Alexandria VA at www.MovingToNova.com/. If you're thinking about selling and would like to know how much your Alexandria VA home is worth, visit http://www.confidentialcma.com/ for a complimentary market analysis of your home. Not selling but curious about the homes for sale in your neighborhood, visit http://www.movingtonova.info/ for FREE Alexandria VA Real Estate Market Snapshot reports and stay informed whenever a home is listed or sold in your neighborhood. For information on foreclosure prevention visit http://www.AlexandriaShortSale.info to see if you qualify for a short sale on your home.

Close In Condo Walking Distance To Van Dorn Metro | Alexandria Virginia Short Sale |
Under Contract
4852 Eisenhower Avenue, Unit 341, Alexandria VA 22304

What buyer's market? After multiple showings and offers, this beautiful move-in ready home is going, going, gone! Contemporary and conveniently located third floor condo with laundry room, upgraded kitchen, walk-in closet, and garage parking is no longer within reach!

If you considering selling your Alexandria, Virginia home as a short sale, please click here to see if you qualify. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I have the experience and training to help you understand all of your foreclosure avoidance options, and to help you navigate through this stressful time. When we save a home, we save a family.

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Buying or Selling Real Estate in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria VA? Looking for short sales in Alexandria VA? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home. I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale.

Call me at 703-623-8759.

Visit my website and Search MLS Listings of Homes For Sale in Alexandria VA at www.MovingToNova.com/. If you're thinking about selling and would like to know how much your Alexandria VA home is worth, visit http://www.confidentialcma.com/ for a complimentary market analysis of your home. Not selling but curious about the homes for sale in your neighborhood, visit http://www.movingtonova.info/ for FREE Market Snapshot reports and stay informed whenever a home is listed or sold in your neighborhood. For information on foreclosure prevention visit http://www.AlexandriaShortSale.info to see if you qualify for a short sale on your home.

Despite the constant negative news reports, I'm happy to share that we sold 22 homes at McEnearney Associates Inc. (Old Town Alexandria office) last week with the notable volume being in the $200,000 - $600,000 price range.

You may be confused between positive reports and negative reports in the media, so I wanted to use this week's tip to help clarify some things and to shed some light on some of the most commonly asked questions that I face weekly.

Who Should Be Buying Real Estate and Homes For Sale In Old Town Alexandria VA Right Now?

• Anyone who has stable employment. Lenders are looking for a two-year job history. If you have recently changed jobs, as long as your new job is in the same field of business, then you're in a much better qualifying position.
• Active military and veterans. You can buy home using a VA loan, with zero down payment, and finance up to $812,500.
• First-time home buyers. In many areas, there is still competition among first time home buyers. Well-priced homes (both distressed and non-distressed properties) are seeing multiple offers, and especially below $300,000 some homes are still being sold above the asking price. With the VHDA loan, first-time home buyers can take advantage of 1.5% down payment AND below market interest rates. And paired with local housing authority programs, like Alexandria City's SPARC program, or Moderate Income Homeownership program, additional down payment assistance of up to $30,000 may be within reach.
• Buyers who want a fixer upper at below market value. With the FHA 203k loan, you are able to finance the estimated repair costs into the home mortgage. If you've found a $250,000 home in a $500,000 neighborhood, this is the loan for you. And yes, below market real estate deals can be found throughout Alexandria, including Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes. This loan can help you make 'UGLY' houses, look beautiful, and is one of the best tools to gain instant equity. If you've seen a fixer-upper in a great neighborhood, don't pass it up because you may be concerned about out-of-pocket fix up expenses. If you've encountered multiple offer situations as an active buyer when considering move-in ready homes, outsmart your competition by expanding your search to include homes that need some TLC.
• Investors with cash. The best low-end deals right now are OUTSIDE the beltway. And with prices down, real estate investors now have the ability to purchase income properties, and the market rent will now cover the monthly mortgage. Two years ago, this was impossible because of the high real estate prices. Northern Virginia Real Estate For Sale Under $150,000: In Arlington County: 46 homes; Alexandria City: 46 homes; Fairfax County: 341 homes; Prince William County: 546.

Who Should Be Selling Old Town Alexandria VA Real Estate Right Now?

• Homeowners with a home value of less than $500,000 with equity. This is the price range that is sure to get attention, and according to market statistics, homes in the $500,000+ price range are experiencing longer days on market. If you're selling and buying up, you'll have less competition and more negotiating power on price when you've sold your home.
• Distressed sellers who are behind on their mortgage. Banks do not want your house back. Short sales in Alexandria Virginia (VA) are becoming more common and banks are developing strategies to get short sales approved in quicker times. I recently sold a short sale and we received bank approval in two weeks with buyer paid closing costs. If you are a homeowner facing a financial hardship, click here to see if you qualify for a short sale in Alexandria VA. We may be able to help you avoid foreclosure and protect your credit.
• Homeowners close-in and who are move-in ready. People are getting GREENER. More buyers want walkable neighborhoods, close to metro. Areas like Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes are walkable, pet friendly, and conveniently located near metro, public transportation, HOV, and the interstates. We're seeing that more buyers prefer to go car-less and homes close to metro and with a high walkscore are fairing well in the market. If you're in a good location, location, location, and you're close in, now may be a good time to sell your home.

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Buying or Selling Real Estate in Del Ray or Old Town Alexandria VA? Looking for short sales in Alexandria Virginia? Contact Tamara Inzunza, Associate Broker of McEnearney Associates, Inc. Realtors to list and sell your home, or purchase a new home. I specialize in Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and Manchester Lakes condos, townhomes, and single-family homes for sale.

Call me at 703-623-8759.

Visit my website and Search MLS Listings of Homes For Sale in Alexandria VA at www.MovingToNova.com/. If you're thinking about selling and would like to know how much your Alexandria VA home is worth, visit http://www.confidentialcma.com/ for a complimentary market analysis of your home. Not selling but curious about the homes for sale in your neighborhood, visit http://www.movingtonova.info/ for FREE Market Snapshot reports and stay informed whenever a home is listed or sold in your neighborhood.